[GH85Carrera]

As the rush to Irwin, Colorado was underway in early 1880, J.E. Phillips was determined to arrive early, and bring his newspaper from the town of Rosita with him. Phillips had his printing press hauled by wagon as far as possible, then with the help of his associates he carried each piece of the press over a steep mountain pass in deep snow, making many difficult trips on snowshoe. Thus the Elk Mountain Pilot was ready to print by June of 1880, just in time to capture the excitement that ensued as thousands rushed to the fabulous new camp.




A picture is worth a 1000 words.. This snap of Homesteaders in western Nebraska circa 1890. If you look close you can see Badlands in the distance...



Deadwood, Dakota Territory, 1876. Colorized.